Aman cultivation hampered due to shortage of seedlings
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
RANGPUR, Aug 28 (UNB): The Aman cultivation is being hampered seriously in the Rangpur region due to shortage of seedlings in the post-flood situation.
Sources said target of Aman cultivation was unlikely to be achieved in the region this season as thousands of hectares of seedbeds and planted seedlings had been damaged by the flood.
Farmers said seedlings for one bigha of land was now being sold between Tk 1,800 and Tk 2,000 instead of previous rate of Tk 800 and Tk 1,000.
For this reason, many farmers could not buy seedlings at the higher rate.
According to DAE, seedbeds on around 4,319 hectares of land and planted Aman paddy on 7,771 hectares of land have been damaged badly by floodwater in five districts of Rangpur region.
Farmers said preparation for fresh seedbeds could not be possible at this time, as at least 25 days are required for growing seedlings.
DAE sources said there was no crisis of seedlings in the region and seedlings were being reached to the farmers from the districts, which were not affected by flood.
Some 570,900 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation in the region in the current season.
Of the total land, 144,800 hectares of land will be cultivated in Rangpur district, 114,400 hectares of land in Kurigram, 83,100 hectares of land in Lalmonirhat, 110,800 hectares of land in Nilphamari and 117,800 hectares of land in Gaibandha district.
Sources said target of Aman cultivation was unlikely to be achieved in the region this season as thousands of hectares of seedbeds and planted seedlings had been damaged by the flood.
Farmers said seedlings for one bigha of land was now being sold between Tk 1,800 and Tk 2,000 instead of previous rate of Tk 800 and Tk 1,000.
For this reason, many farmers could not buy seedlings at the higher rate.
According to DAE, seedbeds on around 4,319 hectares of land and planted Aman paddy on 7,771 hectares of land have been damaged badly by floodwater in five districts of Rangpur region.
Farmers said preparation for fresh seedbeds could not be possible at this time, as at least 25 days are required for growing seedlings.
DAE sources said there was no crisis of seedlings in the region and seedlings were being reached to the farmers from the districts, which were not affected by flood.
Some 570,900 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation in the region in the current season.
Of the total land, 144,800 hectares of land will be cultivated in Rangpur district, 114,400 hectares of land in Kurigram, 83,100 hectares of land in Lalmonirhat, 110,800 hectares of land in Nilphamari and 117,800 hectares of land in Gaibandha district.